DJ Wagner takes on pair of former teammates vs. Saint Joseph's
Hoping for a DJ Wagner breakthrough sooner rather than later? He’s got just the thing to stoke his competitive fire in Kentucky ‘s matchup vs. Saint Joseph’s.
Remember the name Jerome Brewer Jr. in the Wildcats’ win over Texas A&M-Commerce? He went for 12 points on 4-6 shooting with four rebounds and two assists in the hard-fought 20-point loss inside Rupp Arena. That was a former teammate of both Wagner and Aaron Bradshaw at Camden High School.
“It was great, just to be out on the big stage and on the floor against him,” Wagner said of the matchup, finishing with 11 points, three assists and just one turnover in the win. “Just knowing that we were both able to play each other at this level, it was a blessing. It was a lot of fun.”
Next up? Not one, but two former teammates on the Hawks. Sophomore Rasheer Fleming and freshman Dasear Haskins were not only standouts alongside Wagner and Bradshaw at Camden, but also on the Nike EYBL circuit with the New Jersey Scholars.
Fleming is the name to watch for Kentucky fans as Saint Joseph’s fourth-leading scorer (10.5 PPG) and second-leading rebounder (5.3) while adding 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks in 19.3 minutes per contest. In back-to-back matchups against mutual opponents, the 6-9, 230-pound forward finished with 14 points, five rebounds and three blocks in a 100-56 win over Stonehill, followed by six points and five rebounds in the team’s loss to Texas A&M-Commerce.
Graduating in 2022, Fleming suffered just three losses in his final two seasons at Camden alongside Wagner and Bradshaw. He was a four-year standout for the Panthers, racking up 857 career points, 669 rebounds, 134 blocks, 111 assists and 84 steals in 99 games played.
As for Hawkins, you won’t be seeing him on the floor inside Rupp Arena on Monday — he’s redshirting this season, a decision announced by Saint Joseph’s head coach Billy Lange last week.
“We are in full support of Dae’s decision. We have great experience throughout our staff on using time to develop our team members in a holistic manner during a redshirt season,” he said. “... Dae will have an impact on our program now and in the future. He’s a very good player and an energetic spirit.”
Haskins averaged 10.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game as a senior while helping Wagner, Bradshaw and the entire Camden team to a 23-3 record. He finished his career with 550 points, 274 rebounds, 85 assists, 55 steals and 26 blocks across 72 games.
The 6-9 wing was seen as a potential second-round pick in ’24 prior to redshirting as a freshman. He previously held offers from Saint Peter’s, San Diego, Wagner, Samford, and Texas A&M-Commerce before signing with Saint Joseph’s. Many of those offers rolled in following a 14-point effort that included four made threes against Imhotep Charter — a head-to-head battle with Kentucky freshman Justin Edwards — last January.
He won’t suit up against the Wildcats, but his presence will certainly be felt on the opposing bench with his former friends and teammates down the sideline.
Bradshaw won’t be suiting up, but Wagner will, and he’s looking for his first superstar performance. Through four games, the former blue-chip recruit is shooting just 31.9% from the field and 23.5% from three as Kentucky’s sixth-leading scorer. John Calipari said the freshman guard was playing with “the weight of the world” on his shoulders following the team’s 101-67 win over Stonehill.
“There is a lot at stake. That’s why I don’t take this lightly for these kids. A lot at stake,” Calipari said. “How do I get them right? Can I do it for them? I can put them in situations. I can teach and do and then you put them on the stage, but they have got to go. They have got to be that star. They have got to come out and really do their thing.”
Tonight is a big opportunity for Wagner to do just that with some familiar faces in the gym.
